Support for electrical fixtures



y 1951 M. B. AUSTIN, JR 2,550,662

SUPPORT FOR ELECTRICAL FIXTURES Filed Feb. 14, 1948 INVENTOR. Me/"m'zzB. flu-film, MP?

WZLMMLW ATTORNEYS 4 Patented May 1, 1951 2,550,662 SUPPORT FORELECTRICAL FIXTURES Merritt BtAustin, Jr., Kenilworth, Ill.

Application February 14, 1948, Serial No. 8,472

This invention relates to fixture supports used in buildingconstruction, and more particularly to supports known as bar hangerswhich are adapted'to be fastened between joists to support electricoutlet'boxes, switch boxes, lighting fixtures and the like. The presentinvention is concerned with improvements in the bar hanger shown in myPatent No. 2,233,334, issued February 25, 1941, entitled Support forElectric Fixtures and the Like." In. this patent, there is disclosed abar hanger comprising a single strip of solid, rec tangularcross-section bar stock having angularly' bent and twisted ends, the barbeing adapted to extend laterally between two adjacent joists at anangle determined by the spacing of the joists, and having a prong orspur projecting from one end to provide for temporarily holding the barin'its desired position whereby the permanent fastening thereof is mademore convenient.

Anobject of the present invention is to provide an improved bar hangerof the above type, which is very simple and rugged in construction andsatisfactory for all intended uses, while at the same time being quickerand more convenient to install, and extremely economical to produce, andusing a minimum amount or weight of inexpensive stock, and requiring butsimple and inexpensive fabricating operations.

Another object of-the invention is to provide an improved bar hanger ascharacterized above, which has very effective and economical to-producemeans for temporarily holding it in place to permit the permanentfastening thereof to the joists to be done very conveniently, the saidmeans also providing for secure anchorage of the hanger to the joists.

In accomplishing the above objects there is provided, in accordance withthe invention and in the'embodiment thereof illustrated herein, a barhanger comprising a sheet metal strip-which is formed to have achannel-like cross-section, the strip also preferably having aconcaveconvex web portion which is shaped or formed to provide alongitudinally extending groove on its outer face and a longitudinallyextending rib .on its innerface. Intermediate its ends the strip carriesa fixture-engaging coupling means which is preferably of the typedisclosed and described in myabove-referred-to patent. The ends of thechannel member are bent in the same direction substantially at rightangles tothe member whereby the flanges of the strip are outermost, andthe ends are also twisted in the'same direcs' Claims. (01. 24s 27) 2. Ition through an acute angle about their longi tudinal axes. The saidbent'ends have means, as for example perforations, to receive nails, orscrews whereby the channel strip may be secured to adjacent, oppositelyfacing sides of a pair of juxtaposed joists.

Joists which are spaced far apart will receive the channel strip betweenthem at substantially right angles thereto, that is, the strip willextend perpendicularly between the joists. Joists having a closerspacing will require the channel strip to be extended angularly betweenthem whereby acute angles are formed between the strip and joists. Thebent ends of the strip preferably make an angle slightly greater, than90 with the outside face of the web, and when the strip is applied tothe joists it may be forced or hammered into place between them in sucha manner that the edges of the flanges of the strip ends dig into andbecome embedded in the sides of the joists regardless of the angularityof the strip with respect to said sides.

By virtue of the angle between the strip and bent ends thereof beingslightly greater than 90, sloping or tapering flange edges are presentedto the sides of the joists, and these constitute in effect barbs which,while enabling the strip to be readily forced or hammered into positionbetween the joists, yet effectively prevent removal or inadvertentdislodgment of the strip after it has been so positioned. By thisorganization a quick, convenient and efiective temporary positioning ofthe bar hanger may be had between a pair of juxtaposed joists regardlessof variations in the spacing of the joists, thereby making it convenienttodrive in the screws or nails whereby the bar hanger is permanentlyanchored in place, while at the same time the structure utilizes aminimum of stock or weight of metal, and permits of extremely simple andquick fabrication or forming. 1; The concavo-convex web of the channelstrip provides added rigidity to the strip and at-th'e same time theoutwardly facing groove in the web acts as a guide whereby theperforations in the bent ends may be readily found for insertion of thenails or screws, by simply sliding the point of. the nail or screw alongthe groove until it meets the desired perforation. Upon the nails orscrews being driven in, the flange portions of the bent ends of thechannel strip will be forced more deeply into the sides of the joists,and will result in an extremely secure and reliable an:- chorage, VOther features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an improved bar hanger of the presentinvention, illustrating one embodiment thereof.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the bar hanger shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the application of the bar hanger to joistsspaced apart by the maximum distance for which the bar hanger isadapted.

Fig. 4 is a view like Fig. 3 but showing the bar hanger between joistsspaced apart by a lesser distance, which may be for example the standardjoist spacing.

Fig. 5 is a view like Figs. 3 and 4 but showing the application of thebar hanger to joists having a still lesser spacing. v

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the bar hanger secured to joists whichare shown in section, the hanger supporting a fixture such as an outletbox, and

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view on line l'l of Fig. 2.

Referring to. Figs. 1 and 2, the improved bar hanger shown therein asone embodiment of this invention comprises a sheet metal strip l0.preferably formed of steel, carrying a coupling l l to which a fixture,such as the switch box IE in Fig. 6, may be secured. The coupling 1 I isadjustably positionable on the strip l0, and is preferably of the typeshown and described in my patent above-mentioned, having a clampingportion I3 which encompasses the strip It, and having a stud portion Mwhich is secured to the clamping portion l3 by a screw l5, the studportion i4 being receivable in suitable apertures in various electricalfixtures, outlet and switch boxes and the like.

Referring to Fig. '7, the clamping portion [3 of the coupling has anaperture l3a to receive the strip l0, and a threaded aperture iBb forreceiving the clamping screw I5 which passes through the stud l4.Positioning of the coupling II is effected by tightening the screw l5,which forces a skirt 130 on the stud Hi to engage the web or flatportion of the strip l0.

In accordance with the present invention the strip I0 is preferablyformed of sheet metal, to have a substantially channel-shapedcross-section as shown, with side flanges l8 and I1, and

a connecting web portion I8. Preferably the web portion N3 of the stripl d is concavoconvex, that is, shaped or formed to present a groove I9on its outer surface, extending longitudinally of the strip, and topresent a rib 20 on its inner surface which is complimentary to thegroove is and also extends longitudinally of the strip.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, according to the invention, the ends 2| ofthe strip 10 are bent in the same direction (upwardly as viewed in Fig.2) wherebythe flanges of the ends are outermost and the said ends forman angle with the outer surface of the web portion I8 which issubstantially 90 and preferably slightly greater than 90, and the ends2i are also twisted in the same direction about their longitudinal axesand through a small acute angle. The ends 2i are provided with aperturesor perforations 22, having their centers lying approximately at thedeepest part of the groove 9, for receiving nails or screws by which thestrip I0 may be secured be tween a pair of juxtaposed joists to extendlaterally thereof.

By this novel organization and construction an extremely advantageous,quick and convenient 4 installation of the bar hanger is made possible.Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noted that the flange portions l6and I! of the bent ends 2| present sharp edges or ribs 23 which arefacing outwardly, that is, the edges or ribs 23 face away from thecenter of the strip l0, and the edges or ribs of one bent end faceoppositely to the edges of the other bent end, each suitably positionedfor embedment in an adjacent joist. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, the saidedges or ribs are sloping or inclined with respect to a perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the strip H This enables the strip to be easilyand quickly positioned between a pair of juxtaposed joists such as thejoists 24 of Fig. 3, 25 of Fig. 4, 26 of Fig. 5 or 2'! of Fig. 6, and tobe temporarily held in the position whereby the permanent fasteningmeans, such as screws or nails, may be applied through the perforations22 in the bar hanger ends 2|.

In positioning the strip. l0- between the joists 24. 25, 25. or 2'1, onebent end, 21 of the stripv may be. placed against a, side surface. ofone joist and pressure applied, or blows from a hammer, to cause eitherone or both of the. edges 23. of the flange portions of the said end tobecome embedded in the side of the joist, the other end of the stripbeing positioned overthe corner of the other joist, such corner beingthe one formed bythe junction of the adjacent side face of the secondjoist and the outer edge face of said joist. This second end of thestrip may then be hammered orotherwise forced inward with respect to thesecond joist, to cause the edges 23 of the flanges I6 and l! to cut intothe adjacent side face of the second joist. 'I'h-e forcing inward of thesaid second end is continued until both bent ends of the. strip l0 haveattained an equal depth along the adjacent side faces of the pair ofjoists.

It will be seen that the movement; by which the second end of the stripI0 is forced inward along the side face of the second joist isfacilitated by the slope of the edges 23 of the strip end, which slopeis a result of the angle between the end and the strip being slightlygreater than 90. In. effect a camming action exists when the second endof the strip is forced inward in this manner, and the end may be carnmedinward, the edges of the flanges l6 and I! functioning as barbs at theextremity of the end 2 I and preventing inadvertent withdrawal of thestrip or dislodgment from the position in which it is placed. This maybe readily seen by inspection of Fig. 6.

Such procedure for temporarily positionin the bar it between a pair ofjoists may be followed regardless of variable spacing between the joistsas shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. After the strip Ill has been temporarilypositioned between the joists, nails or screws may be applied through heperforations 22 whereby the strip I0 is securely anchored in place.

Intermediate its ends 2| the strip It) may be provided with aperforation 28 and a slot 29 whereby a fixture or outlet box or the likemay be screwed to the strip without the use of the coupling II, thelatter being discarded or moved to one side. If the coupling ll is used,the hollow surface of the web 18 will provide clearance for the innerend of the screw [5. The formation of the web IS with its hollow outersurface or groove l9 not only provides clearance for the end of thescrew IE but also increases the strength and rigidity of the strip 10,and facilitates the application of the nails or screws since the pointssired perforation.

It will be seen that by the provision of the novel channel-section stripof the present invention, with ang'ularly bent and twisted ends, anextremely advantageous bar hanger is provided which has considerablestructural rigidity satisfactory for all intended purposes, iseconomical of metal, requiring a minimum Weight of sheet metal of simplechannel-shaped cross-section, and enables a quick and effectivetemporary positioning of the bar hanger between a pair of juxtaposedjoists to be readily accomplished prior to securement of the hangerpermanently to the joists.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A support for electrical fixtures, comprising a bar formed of sheetmetal and having a substantially channel-shaped cross-section, the endsof the bar being bent to extend in substantially the same direction atsubstantially right angles to the bar, with the flanges of said endsoutermost, the said bent ends being adapted to be secured to theadjacent sides of a pair of spaced joists to support the bar at an anglewith respect to the joists as determined by the spacing between thejoists.

2. A support for electrical fixtures, comprising a bar formed of sheetmetal and having a substantially channel-shaped cross-section, the endsof the bar being bent to extend in substantially the same direction atsubstantially right angles to the bar, with the flanges of said endsoutermost, and being twisted through an acute angle in the samedirections about their longitudinal axes, the said bent ends beinadapted to be secured to the adjacent sides of a pair of spaced joiststo support the bar at an angle with respect to the joists as determinedby the spacing between the joists.

3. A support for electrical fixtures, comprising a bar formed of sheetmetal and having a substantially channel-shaped cross-section, the webof the bar being concavo-convex, presenting an inwardly disposedlongitudinally extending rib between the flanges of the bar andpresenting an outer, hollow surface, the ends of the bar being benttoextend in substantially the same direction at substantially right anglesto the bar, with the flanges of said ends outermost, the said bent endsbeing adapted to be secured to the adjacent sides of a pair of spacedjoists to support the bar at an angle with respect to the joists asdetermined by the spacing between the joists.

4. A support for electrical fixtures, comprising a bar formed of sheetmetal and having a substantially channel-shaped cross-section, the webof the bar being concavo-convex, presenting an inwardly disposedlongitudinally extending rib between the flanges of the bar andpresenting a longitudinally extending groove at its outer surface, theends of the bar being bent to extend in substantially the same directionat substantially right angles to the bar, with the flanges of said endsoutermost, the said bent ends having apertures in their webs centeredsubstantially at the deepest part of said groove for receivingfastenings to secure the ends to the adjacent sides of a pair of spacedjoists whereby the bar is supported at an angle with respect to thejoists as determined the spacing between the joists.

' 5. A support for electrical fixtures, comprising a bar, the ends ofwhich extend in substantially the same direction at more than rightangles to the bar as to diverge slightly, the said ends being adapted tobe secured to the adjacent sides of a of spaced joists to support thebar at an angle with respect to the joists as determined by the spacingbetween the joists; and a rib on each angularly extended end of the bar,said rib extending longitudinally of the end at the outer surfacethereof for imbedment into the said sides oi the and having a sharpouter corner at its end'adjacent the end' of the bar.

6. A support for electrical fixtures, comprising a bar, the ends or"which extend in substantially the same direction at substantially rightangles to the bar, the said ends being adapted to be secured to theadjacent sides of a pair of spaced joists to support the bar at an anglewith respect to the joists as determined by the spacing between thejoists; and a narrow, high and relatively sharp rib on each angularlyextended end of the bar, said rib extending longitudinally of the end atthe outer surface thereof for imbedrnent into the said sides of thejoists.

7. A support for electrical fixtures, comprising a bar formed of sheetmetal and having a substantially channel-shaped cross-section, the endsof the bar being bent to extend in substantially the same direction atmore than right angles to the bar so as to diverge slightly with theflanges of said ends outermost, said flanges having sharp outer cornersat each end thereof, the ends of the bar being adapted to be secured tothe adjacent sides of a pair of spaced joists to support the bar at anangle with respect to the joists as determined by the spacing betweenthe joists.

8. A support for electrical fixtures, comprising a bar formed of sheetmetal and having a substantially channel-shaped cross-section, the endsof the bar being bent to extend in substantially the same direction atmore than right angles to the bar, with the flanges of said endsoutermost, and being twisted through an acute angle in the samedirections about their longitudinal axes, the said ends being adapted tobe secured to the adjacent sides of a pair of spaced joists to supportthe bar at an angle with respect to the joists as determined by thespacing between the joists. .MERRITT B. AUSTIN, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

